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Small Children: Only Consume Rice Products in Moderation

Dishes with rice are particularly popular with adults and children. But be careful with the little ones, because small children should only eat rice products in moderation. The reason for this is the inorganic arsenic content in rice.

Inorganic arsenic in rice

Young children should only eat rice products in moderation. The reason for this: Rice-based products such as rice cakes, rice milk, rice flakes and the like can contain large amounts of inorganic arsenic. This is now reported by the Bavarian consumer center.

Babies and small children in particular should not consume this toxin too often, as it has a cancer-promoting effect and the amount is larger compared to a small child’s body. The consumer advocates advise bringing variety to the children’s plates by serving rice and other cereals alternately. This means that there is more variety on the table and the child gets new taste impressions.

Of course, adults and older children do not have to do without the pleasure of rice and can access it more often, as the Bavarian consumer advice center explains. Since January 1, 2016, new maximum values ​​for the content of arsenic in food have been in force.

This is arsenic

Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs naturally in various compounds throughout the earth’s crust. The rice plant absorbs the substance through its roots in the soil and passes it on through its metabolism to the fruits, i.e. to the rice grains. Rice may contain more arsenic than other plant foods.

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Food

Veggie Sausage: Only 6 Products “Good”

Veggie sausage or other meat substitutes are not only trendy among vegetarians and vegans, even “meat-eaters” like to use alternatives. Stiftung Warentest tested 20 meat-free products – with a disappointing result: only six of the 20 meat imitations tested received the test result “good”. Worrying mineral oil residues have been found in some products. EAT SMARTER has the test winner and the loser.

Veggie sausage and Co. in the test

Stiftung Warentest examined 20 meat substitute products for its current October issue. From seitan schnitzel and veggie sausage made from lupines to soy meatballs, the entire range of veggie products was examined. Of the 20 foods tested, eight products were bratwurst imitations and six other products were meatless meatballs and schnitzel.

In addition to established branded products, discounter goods were also tested with regard to animal DNA, harmful substances, additives, and protein and fat content. The test verdict: Only six meat substitutes were rated “good”, and the majority received the grade “satisfactory”. For five of the eight veggie sausages examined, it was only enough for the rating “sufficient”. One of the tested escalopes failed completely with the grade “poor”.

The test winners and the losers

The following products scored “good” in the test:

  • Veggie sausage and veggie schnitzel from Valess (both 2.0)
  • Bratmaxe veggie grill from Meica (2.2)
  • Vegetarian meatballs from Rügenwalder Mühle (2.3)
  • Vegan soy schnitzel from Edeka Bio+Vegan (2.4)
  • Meatball vegetarian from Heirler (2.5)

The big loser in the test is the veggie schnitzel from Rügenwalder Mühle. During the investigation, 400 milligrams of mineral oil components per kilogram were detected in the product. So it’s no wonder that the “Schnitzel” came last in the test with a poor rating.

According to the Stiftung Warentest, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) classifies the found mineral oil hydrocarbon Mosh (Mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) as “potentially alarming”. Mineral oil was also detected in five of the eight veggie sausages tested but in significantly smaller quantities.

Contaminants of Concern and Critical Ingredients

How do pollutants get into these veggie products? One reason for the increased mineral oil content may be white oil, which is used as an auxiliary in production, reports Stiftung Warentest. In addition, there is still no limit for Mosh.

The legume soy, which is particularly popular with vegetarians and vegans, can also be a critical component. In the main cultivation country, Brazil, the rainforest is being cleared for cultivation areas, and there are also genetically modified plants.

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Food

Test Verdict: Only 4 Colas “Good”

Every child knows that cola is not one of the healthiest foods. But in addition to the high sugar content, the Stiftung Warentest also found residues of cleaning agents and disinfectants in some samples. Only four colas were rated “good”. EAT SMARTER has the test winner and the loser.

Cola in the test

In its current issue, Stiftung Warentest examined a total of 30 caffeinated drinks from classic to sugar-free: including 29 colas and a cola imitation from Dr. Pepper. Nineteen products were sweetened with sugar, eight more were sugar-free with sweeteners included, and three other soft drinks were sweetened with sugar and sweeteners such as sweeteners. Two organic products were included in the test as an example.

In addition to established branded products, discounter goods were also examined more closely with regard to their sugar content and their declaration, and tested sensory and chemically. The test verdict: Only 4 colas were rated “good”, and the majority received the grade “satisfactory”. For five colas, it was only enough for the rating “sufficient” and two drinks failed completely with the grade “poor”.

The test winner & the loser

These are the top 4 colas in the test. All received the test results “good”:

  1. Coca-Cola Light for 70 cents per liter
  2. Coca-Cola Zero for 66 cents per liter
  3. Freeway Cola Light from Lidl for 26 cents per liter
  4. River Cola from Aldi Nord for 26 cents per liter

The big loser in the Cola test is Pepsi Light: Due to a very high level of chlorate exposure, the product was only rated “poor”. As the Stiftung Warentest reports, the chlorate found could come from cleaning agents and disinfectants. Chlorate was also detected in other colas in this test but in significantly lower amounts.

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Food

Supermarket Only Sells Expired Groceries

Expired food is quickly found in the refrigerator. Supermarkets don’t usually sell them anymore. But in England, there is now a new trend: expired food is given a new chance and is offered for sale!

There is a supermarket in the English city of Leeds that sells expired groceries. The “Sharehouse” offers fruit, vegetables, yogurts, and many other foods that other supermarkets or restaurants would not resell or process.

Every customer pays what he wants

The highlight of Sharehouse: every customer can decide for himself in the store what he pays for the expired groceries. Consumers can find out what is currently being offered and sold via Facebook – from the comfort of their own homes.

The “Real Junk Food Project” – expired food

In England, the recently launched “Real Junk Food Project” has been very well received. Just because a food has exceeded its best-before date does not necessarily mean that it can no longer be eaten.

Here people can make a difference and buy cheap groceries. This project is not only suitable for frugal people, but also for everyone who wants to make a statement against today’s throwaway society and food waste.

Expired groceries are now also in Germany

The founders of “Sharehouse” agree: they want to open more branches. A similar concept already exists in Denmark with the “WeFood” shop. Since 2016, groceries have been offered there with a discount of up to 50 percent.

Now a “leftovers” supermarket has finally opened in Cologne. The supermarket “The Good Food” follows a concept similar to that in England: the end consumer only pays what the food is worth to them. Vegetables, fruit, but also baked goods, and preserves are sold there.

What does the health authority say?

Basically, customers need to be aware that something has expired. That’s why signs are put up in Cologne – the employees also explain to the customer personally. However, this is only the case for the best before date, as this is only a recommendation. Products with a clear use-by date, such as raw fish or raw meat, are not sold there. That would speak against the hygiene regulations.

Would you also like to give something to help reduce food waste? Go ahead and check your fridge. What foods do you buy often but rarely process? Which foods are good to process before they go bad?

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